Did you hear that Billy Dee Williams’ Lando Calrissian is returning for Star Wars: Episode IX? That the Joaquin Phoenix Joker movie is officially a go, starting production in September? What about Neil Blomkamp directing the new Robocop film? No? We’ve got you covered. Welcome to The CineFiles! A weekly show where we zoom in on the most buzz-worthy news Hollywood and the indie scene has to offer.

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Did you hear that Billy Dee Williams’ Lando Calrissian is returning for Star Wars: Episode IX? That the Joaquin Phoenix Joker movie is officially a go, starting production in September? What about Neil Blomkamp directing the new Robocop film? No? We’ve got you covered. Welcome to The CineFiles! A weekly show where we zoom in on the most buzz-worthy news Hollywood and the indie scene has to offer.

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#3: Joaquin Phoenix Joker Movie Officially a Go

It had been rumoured and reported on for months, and now it’s official. Joaquin Phoenix has finally put pen to paper on a deal to star as the Joker in DC’s latest standalone Joker movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, production of the film will start in September in New York and will have a budget of around $55 million. The standalone film is said to take the story in a darker, more experimental direction, with the studio claiming that it will feel like a crime drama. Todd Phillips co-wrote the story and will also be directing the film, whose synopsis reads as “an exploration of a man disregarded by society that is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.” DC is going all in with their Joker IP, as Jared Leto is also set to reprise his role as the Clown Prince of Crime in an unrelated origin film.

#2: Neill Blomkamp to Direct New “RoboCop” Film

Neill Blomkamp fans are going to love this next bit of news. While the director may not have gotten the chance to elaborate on the Alien franchise, he will have the opportunity to tackle another iconic IP in RoboCop. First reported by Deadline Hollywood, MGM Studios is looking to reignite the franchise with a brand new installment after their 2014 remake earned the studio $242.7 million at the box office. The script - which was initially written by Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner years ago - was written as a sequel to the original action-thriller in 1987. However, it will be re-written by Justin Rhodes to give a bit more modern flair. The story takes place in a crime-ridden Detroit, forcing RoboCop to make his return as a crime-fighting badass. This will mark Blomkamp’s first directorial gig since his 2015 film, Chappie.

The Skywalker Saga is bringing back another iconic character. The hype surrounding the final entry to the popular storyline is going to get even bigger after it was announced that Billy Dee Williams will be reprising his role of Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: Episode IX. Rumours of Williams returning to the franchise hit a fever pitch after he recently had to cancel an appearance at a sci-fi convention due to movie scheduling conflicts. This will mark the first time Williams will star in a live-action Star Wars movie since 1983’s Return of the Jedi. While Williams is set to return after 35 years, Lando has been seen on-screen more recently, after Donald Glover played the character in this year’s Solo: A Star Wars Story. There is still no word on the role the character will play in episode IX, but we do know that J.J. Abrams is returning to the director’s chair having previously run the show for The Force Awakens.